Friday Oct 23, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM PDT
Agenda:
🥐Light Breakfast
👋Welcome
🕒Speaker Presentations - Hear From Pierce Transit Leaders About Prop 1: More Within Reach
🔃Networking
Join us for an informative presentation about Prop 1, the measure on the November ballot that would provide funding to maintain and improve transit service across our growing community.
Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus and Government Affairs Manager Curt Kohlwes will share more about what’s proposed and what Prop 1 could mean for riders and communities across Pierce County — including fare-free buses for seniors, more buses running more often, special event service and more. Come learn more about the proposal and get your questions answered.
More about the featured speakers
Mike Griffus serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Pierce Transit, where he leads one of the region’s most important public transportation systems—connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunity across Pierce County.
With a career rooted in public service, Mike has focused on building organizations that are responsive to community needs while also thinking long-term about sustainability and access. Under his leadership, Pierce Transit has continued to expand its role in supporting a more connected and resilient region.
In 2026, Mike was recognized by the Milgard School of Business at the University of Washington Tacoma as the Nonprofit/Sustainable Business Leader of the Year—an honor that reflects both his leadership and the collective impact of the teams he serves alongside.
Mike is also a first-generation college student who understands the importance of opportunity, perseverance, and showing up when it matters most.
Curt Kohlwes joined Pierce Transit as the agency’s Government Relations Manager in early 2025. Kohlwes serves as the agency's primary liaison to local, state, and federal elected officials and leads the development and advocacy of budget and policy priorities. Prior to this, Kohlwes served as the Government Relations Director for UW Tacoma, where he secured key capital investments to support the future development of the downtown Tacoma campus.
Kohlwes brings over a decade of experience in the Washington Legislature, where he oversaw an extensive portfolio of Legislative accomplishments for the office of Senator Marko Liias.
Kohlwes served on the executive staff to Senate Leadership during Sen. Liias’ tenure as Senate Floor Leader and as Transportation Liaison when Liias was selected as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Kohlwes brings a deep understanding of the transit community's needs, having worked on policies such as “Youth Ride Free” and other multimodal investments in the $17 billion Move Ahead WA transportation package.
Boathouse 19
9001 S 19th Street Tacoma, WA 98466
$5- Chamber Member
$10- Non-Chamber Member
Tayler Kirby
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West Side Wakeup is a monthly business forum to convene, connect, and consider business issues relevant to the West Side. It's a networking opportunity specially designed for Pierce County's West Side businesses and their neighbors!
West Side Wakeup takes place on the Fourth Friday of the month, unless otherwise stated.
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